Who was Kuldip Nayyar? Ten things to know about the veteran journalist

Nayyar was not only a noted journalist but was an equally revered author, human right activist, diplomat and parliamentarian.

New Delhi: Leaving a lasting void in the world of journalism, eminent columnist Kuldip Nayyar passed away during the wee hours of Thursday in New Delhi. Nayyar was not only a noted journalist but was an equally revered author, human right activist, diplomat and parliamentarian. Here are ten things to know about him:

• Noted for his long career as a left wing political commentator Nayar wrote columns and op-eds for over 80 newspapers in 14 languages.

 

• Nayar authored 15 books, the known ones being Beyond the Lines, India-The Critical years, Distant Neighbours- A tale of the subcontinent, India after Nehru, Scoop! : Inside Stories from Partition to the Present and Without Fear: The Life and Trial of Bhagat Singh, among others.

 

• A courageous journalist, Nayar, was arrested towards the end of the Indian Emergency (1975-77)

 

• He was a member of India's delegation to the United Nations in 1996

 

• He was appointed High Commissioner to Great Britain in 1990

 

• He was nominated to Rajya Sabha in August 1997.

 

• Nayar was born in Sialkot, Punjab in British India on August 14, 1923.

 

• He completed his graduation in arts and then in Law from Lahore. He studied journalism from the Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University on a scholarship.

 

• He had been working towards freedom of Indian prisoners in Pakistan and Pakistani prisoners in India- those who completed their sentences, but were not set free.

 

• He had supported the movement of Anna Hazare for government transparency.